Seed & Variety Selection Key Check 1: Used high quality seeds of recommended variety Part 1: Understanding the PalayCheck System

Seeds are the foundation of farming. You reap what you sow! SOW high quality seed (+ good production practices) = REAP high quality harvest

What are high quality seeds? Why use high quality seeds?

High Quality Seeds relatively pure full & uniform in size viable fewer weed seeds free from seed- borne pests & diseases High Poor Quality

Which field used high quality seeds?

BREEDER seeds are produced by PhilRice from uniform panicles (nucleus seeds). Classes of High Quality Seeds FOUNDATION seeds are grown by PhilRice & SeedNet from breeder seeds. REGISTERED seeds are grown by SeedNet & selected seed growers from foundation seeds. CERTIFIED seeds are grown by seed growers from registered seeds. These are sold to farmers.

FactorBSFSRSCS Pure seed (%)9998 Other varieties (grains/500g)02520 Weeds/Other crops’ seeds (%) Inert matter (%)1222 Red rice (grains/500g)0012 Germination (% min)85 Moisture content (%)14 Philippine Laboratory Standards for Seed Certification Not 100% pure!

Farmers may also produce their own high quality seeds!

Importance of Key Check 1 Lower seed rate but more vigorous & more uniform crop germination Lower seed rate but more vigorous & more uniform crop germination 10-15% yield increase When high quality seeds are used: More efficient harvesting activities Less pest problems More efficient crop establishment activities

Why use recommended varieties? Recommended varieties are adapted to local conditions: appropriate to the environment resistant to pests & abiotic stresses (e.g. drought, flood) in the locality have produced relatively stable & high yield in adaptability trials acceptable to farmers & demanded by the local market

TRIVIA on Varieties 1.PSB Rc means Philippine Seed Board Rice while NSIC means National Seed Industry Council. The NSIC, which used to be the PSB, approves the release of new varieties. 2.Odd-numbered varieties (PSB Rc1) are for the upland environment while even-numbered varieties (NSIC Rc216) are for the irrigated lowland environment. 3.Glutinous varieties are also odd-numbered.

4. Until 2001, lowland rice varieties are named after rivers (Pagsanjan, PSB Rc10) while upland rice varieties are named after mountains (Apo, NSIC Rc9). Now, naming is as follows: Inbred – Tubigan Hybrid – Mestiso Upland varieties – Katihan Rainfed - Sahod-ulan Cool-elevated - Cordillera Saline-prone - Salinas Glutinous - Malagkit Aromatic- Mabango Flood-prone – Submarino Tungro-resistant - Matatag TRIVIA on Varieties

Assessment of Key Check 1  Seeds are certified by the National Seed Quality Control Services (i.e. if certified seeds, a blue tag is attached) or sourced from reliable sources (i.e. PhilRice, accredited seed growers)  If seeds are old stocks; a carry-over from previous season; or farmer-produced, then these should have passed germination or seed test.

Assessment of Key Check 1  The variety suits the environment (e.g. irrigated, rainfed, saline-prone, etc); addresses a prevailing local field problem (e.g. tungro-resistant); OR has performed well in at least two seasons of adaptability trial (ask PhilRice, local DA office). Mestiso 20 (NSIC Rc 204H) recommended for DS & WS in Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Cagayan, Davao del Sur & del Norte, General Santos, Bukidnon, and similar areas

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 1  Farmers often prefer new varieties, believing that they yield better. However, a variety may be released based on reasons other than yield (e.g. better grain quality & resistance to pests). PSB Rc56 has 106 cav/ha average yield while PSB Rc58, 98 cav/ha. However, PSB Rc58 is resistant to bacterial leaf blight. Thus, choose a variety with high yield potential, market demand, and tested in techno demo/adaptability trials. Know the variety’s characteristics!

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 1  If there is NSQCS tag, check if this is valid. Seed source must preferably be from among the list of SeedNet members.  If there are no accredited seed growers in the locality, source seeds from reliable farmers in the area (i.e. with farms that have uniform crop growth) or produce own high quality seeds following proper procedure, particularly in removing off-types. For a fee, request NSQCS to conduct a seed test or conduct your own germination test to ensure quality.

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 1 10 Steps to Produce High Quality Seeds 1.Select a healthy part of the field & keep this weed-free. 2.Use clean, good quality seed. 3.Plow, puddle, & level the field well.

4. If transplanting, plant young (21-25 d) seedlings from a healthy, weed-free nursery at 1-3 per hill at 20cm x 20cm spacing if WS & 20cm x 15cm if DS. Replant within 7 DAT. 5.Apply balanced nutrients (N, P, K, S, Zn) as per crop demand. 6.Keep the crop free of weeds, insect pests, & diseases. 7.At maximum tillering and flowering, rogue off-types (by plant height, appearance, flowering time, etc.) & poor, diseased or insect damaged plants or plants with discolored panicles. 10 Steps to Produce High Quality Seeds

Roguing (pull/discard) Off-types Plant height: Rogue plants that are unusually taller or shorter than most of the plants. Panicle: Rogue plants with partially exserted panicles because at heading time, these off-types will have earlier or later panicle emergence. Seed or Grain: If most of the plants have grains that have awns, then rogue those without awns (& vice-versa).

Roguing Off-types FLAG LEAF Flag leaf angle: Rogue plants with flag leaf that is upright (A) or bent (B) unlike the rest of the plants. A B A Leaf color, sheath, stem: Rogue plants that have discolored or differentl;y- colored leaves, sheath, stems.

8.Harvest at full maturity (80-85% of the grains are straw- colored). 9.Thresh, clean, dry (12-14% moisture content), grade & label the harvested seed. 10.Store the labeled seed in sealed clean containers in a cool, dry & clean area. 10 Steps to Produce High Quality Seeds

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 1  If a variety has not yet been tested in the area, then conduct an adaptability trial for at least two seasons. Factors to consider in selecting a variety to test: Planting season- wet or dry Field history- disease & soil problems Maturity - early, medium, or late Type - regular inbred, hybrid, specialty rice Yield potential – min/max potential Resistance to major pests in the area Grain quality – market/millers’ preference

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 1  In wet season, pay attention to prevalent pests in the area & consider also the shattering & lodging characteristics of a variety. In dry season, most of the hybrid varieties perform better. In rainfed areas, it is recommended to first choose varieties intended for rainfed environment. Consider also traditional or regionally preferred varieties for rainfed environment as these have been most likely adapted in the locality.

Input-Output-Outcome bought certified seeds from reliable source or produced own high quality seeds; followed results of adaptability trials used certified seeds of recommended variety high yield high yield good grain quality high profit minimal damage to environment high yield high yield good grain quality high profit minimal damage to environment

Seeds are the foundation of farming. You reap what you sow! SOW high quality seed (+ good production practices) = REAP high quality harvest

Used high quality seeds of recommended variety Remember KEY CHECK 1!

CREDITS Instructional presentation designer: Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga Sources of technical content/reviewers of presentation: Ms. Thelma Padolina; Dr. Gerald Ravelo; Ms. Emily Arocena; Ms. Susan Brena; Mr. Manny Alejar, IRRI; Ms. Eleanor Ayos, BPI; Ms. Joventina Elep, BPI; Mr. Alvaro Pamplona, IRRI Note: Adapted from powerpoint presentations developed by: Mrs. Thelma Padolina; Ms. Susan Brena You may use, remix, tweak, For more information, visit: & build upon this presentation non-commercially. However, always use with acknowledgment. Unless otherwise stated, the names listed are PhilRice staffers. Produced in 2011 Text:

Rice Environments  The four major rice environments are the irrigated environment; the rainfed lowland environment; the flood-prone environment; & the upland environment. Source: IRRI

Rice Environments  Examples of varieties for each environment: Upland: PSB Rc7, NSIC Rc9 medlibrary.org Rainfed lowland: PSB Rc12, Rc14 Flood-prone: NSIC Rc194 Irrigated: NSIC Rc160, Rc210H

Spread 100 seeds evenly.Cover the seeds. Store rolled seeds in shade for 1wk. How to Conduct a Seed Germination Test 1)Spread 100 seeds on paper towel (or old plain white shirt cut in half) that has been soaked in water. 2)Cover the seeds with another paper towel (or the other half of the shirt). 3)Roll up the paper with the seeds inside & store them in the shade for 7-10 days. Keep the rolled sacks moist for the entire period. Do not let them dry out. (Shirt: roll it around a stick.) Source: IRRI (some modifications made)

How to Conduct a Seed Germination Test 4)Make 4 sets of 100 seeds. 5)At the end of 7-10 days, count the normal seedlings that have developed (i.e. with well-developed roots & shoots). All 4 sets of germinated seeds should have a germination rate of at least 85% or 85 seedlings for each set. Make four sets of 100 seeds.

How to Conduct a Seed Germination Test Germination rate should be at least 85%. For more information contact Agricultural Engineering Unit IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines Tel.: (63-2) , Fax.: (63-2) IRRI International Rice Research Institute Calculating the germination rate Germination (%) = Number of seeds germinated x 100 Number of seeds on tray For example: if 86 seeds germinated in a tray of 100 seeds after 10 days, then 10-day germination (%) = 85 x 100 = 85% 100